Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery recycling in Toronto, Ontario
Toronto — Ontario Recovery Campus takes whole Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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
3,545 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 3 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). Moderate — structural pack bonding limits module harvesting; cell-level grading required.
- 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery
The Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) (2022) carries a 82 kWh NMC 811 Cylindrical 4680 pack with 3 modules at 355 V, weighing roughly 418 kg. Structural tabless format requiring specialised disassembly cells. High nickel yields offset elevated processing cost.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 94.2% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,607 |
| Year 4 | 89.9% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,425 |
| Year 6 | 85.6% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,162 |
| Year 8 | 81.3% | B — Second life | USD 3,674 |
| Year 10 | 77% | B — Second life | USD 3,281 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
Fade mechanisms mirror other NMC 811 cells. The tabless design lowers internal resistance and heat generation, which can slow resistance growth relative to older cylindrical formats.
Thermal behaviour
4680 cells carry the same high-nickel chemistry as 2170s but in a larger can with more energy per cell, so a single failing cell releases more heat. Structural packs also make it harder to isolate an individual failing cell during handling.
Handling NMC 811 (4680)
Collecting a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) pack
82 kWh, 3 modules, about 418 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
4.49 kg
nickel
29.01 kg
cobalt
2.91 kg
manganese
3.03 kg
copper
12.26 kg
aluminium
14.08 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.
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) in Toronto, Ontario: common questions
Can I drop off a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery at Toronto, Ontario?
Yes, by appointment. Toronto — Ontario Recovery Campus accepts whole Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) packs; book a collection or a drop-off slot so the site can prepare packaging and paperwork.
What happens to Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) at other sites
Other passenger packs at Toronto, Ontario
Retiring Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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.