Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery recycling in Toronto, Ontario
Toronto — Ontario Recovery Campus takes whole Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs straight from fleets, dealers and workshops. Packs are weighed, de-energised and logged here before modules move on for grading or refining.
Pack value at 80% SOH
1,167 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
47%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
18,000 TPA
Integrated Recovery Campus
Cities served
2
From Toronto, Ontario
Where a Nissan Leaf ZE1 pack goes from Toronto, Ontario
- 1
Intake at Toronto, Ontario
One pack per UN-rated pallet box, strapped and restrained, with terminals capped and coolant ports sealed. Each pack is weighed, photographed and discharged below 30% state of charge.
- 2
Graded at Atlanta, Georgia
Modules travel 1,183 km to Atlanta — Georgia Grading Centre for capacity, resistance and impedance testing across all 24 modules.
- 3
Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden
At 80% SOH about 47% of the pack qualifies for reuse and goes to Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus (6,109 km). Limited — accelerated manganese dissolution caps second-life warranty terms at 36 months.
- 4
Refined at Reno, Nevada
Remaining modules are shredded to black mass and refined at Reno — Nevada Hydrometallurgy Refinery, 3,360 km away.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest grading bench | Atlanta — Georgia Grading Centre | 1,183 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus | 6,109 km |
| Nearest refinery | Reno — Nevada Hydrometallurgy Refinery | 3,360 km |
Inside the Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery
The Nissan Leaf ZE1 (2018) carries a 40 kWh LMO / LMO-NMC Pouch pack with 24 modules at 350 V, weighing roughly 324 kg. Legacy manganese-rich pouch packs common in early two- and three-wheeler fleets across South Asia.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 95.4% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,450 |
| Year 4 | 91.1% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,394 |
| Year 6 | 86.8% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,339 |
| Year 8 | 82.5% | B — Second life | USD 1,223 |
| Year 10 | 78.2% | B — Second life | USD 1,132 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
LMO's weak point is manganese dissolution, which speeds up at elevated temperature and damages the anode. Packs that lived in hot climates without active cooling typically fade faster.
Thermal behaviour
Manganese spinel is more thermally stable than nickel-rich cathodes, but blended LMO-NMC pouch cells still vent flammable gas when abused, and older packs may have weaker protection electronics.
Handling LMO Pouch
Collecting a Nissan Leaf ZE1 pack
40 kWh, 24 modules, about 324 kg — this is how the Toronto, Ontario team plans the job.
Removal
Packs are dropped on a vehicle lift using the OEM procedure and a rated battery table, then isolated at the service disconnect.
Packaging
One pack per UN-rated pallet box, strapped and restrained, with terminals capped and coolant ports sealed.
Consolidation
Dealer and workshop returns are consolidated into full truckloads, typically eight or more packs per run.
Before the truck arrives
- Pull the service disconnect and record pack voltage
- Drain or cap coolant lines before lifting
- Photograph the pack casing and any impact damage
- Keep the VIN and pack serial together on the manifest
Toronto, Ontario site notes
- Winter collections include extra time for weather delays.
- Cross-border loads need export and import documents before collection is confirmed.
- Transit authorities can book depot-level collections.
- Damaged packs must be declared before pickup.
What this pack yields
lithium
2.82 kg
nickel
6.02 kg
cobalt
0.85 kg
manganese
17.59 kg
copper
11.1 kg
aluminium
12.41 kg
Refining-route estimate at 80% SOH. Measured module health on the bench sets the final split.
Rules in Canada
Provincial extended producer responsibility regulations
Regulator: Provincial regulators (e.g. RPRA in Ontario) and Transport Canada
The campus operates under approvals from Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Ontario's producer responsibility framework for batteries applies, transport follows the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, and cross-border movements need waste import and export documentation.
Nissan Leaf ZE1 in Toronto, Ontario: common questions
Can I drop off a Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery at Toronto, Ontario?
Yes, by appointment. Toronto — Ontario Recovery Campus accepts whole Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs; book a collection or a drop-off slot so the site can prepare packaging and paperwork.
What happens to Nissan Leaf ZE1 modules after Toronto, Ontario?
Intake at Toronto, Ontario, then Graded at Atlanta, Georgia, then Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden, then Refined at Reno, Nevada. At 80% SOH roughly 47% of the pack goes to second life and the rest is refined.
How should a Nissan Leaf ZE1 pack be prepared for pickup?
Pull the service disconnect and record pack voltage. Drain or cap coolant lines before lifting. Photograph the pack casing and any impact damage. Keep the VIN and pack serial together on the manifest.
Which rules apply to Nissan Leaf ZE1 recycling in Canada?
Provincial extended producer responsibility regulations, overseen by Provincial regulators (e.g. RPRA in Ontario) and Transport Canada. Movements follow the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations, and cross-border shipments need permits under the Cross-border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations.
Cities collected by Toronto, Ontario
Nissan Leaf ZE1 at other sites
Retiring Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs near Toronto, Ontario?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.