Fox Fold, a Vancouver-based startup, is challenging the notion that sustainable products are always more expensive than traditional ones. The company has introduced a line of sustainable toilet tissue made from bamboo, which eliminates the need to throw out unused product, reducing waste and costs for hotels. Research suggests that the prices of sustainable products are typically higher by 75-80% on average, but Fox Fold’s initiative is delivering on both fronts, helping hotels boost their green credentials while saving money.
Cofounders Ludovic Siouffi and Greg Hegger, who both had successful careers in wealth management and product marketing, respectively, decided to become entrepreneurs and tackle the issue of wasteful toilet paper in hotels. They found that hotel owners and operators were eager to try their sustainable products, as they saw the potential for cost savings and reduced waste. This led to the development of Fox Fold’s bamboo toilet tissue, which has gained traction with some of the world’s biggest hospitality brands, targeting a share of the North American tissue and hygiene paper market estimated to be worth US$60 billion.
The company’s early funding came from microloans from local banks in Canada and a friends and family fundraising round. With additional equity funding from their partner Box Clever, Fox Fold was able to build out their products and expand to new markets. Vancouver and Toronto were their initial target markets, but the brand has gained traction in the U.S. as well, with larger hotel chains showing interest in their sustainable and cost-effective products.
Chris Nelson, owner of Pacific Sands Beach Resort, has already seen the benefits of using Fox Fold’s products at his hotel. By switching to bamboo toilet tissue, the resort has been able to adopt more sustainable practices, reduce waste, and save money. Nelson has even invested in the business, recognizing the potential for growth and the positive impact of the products on both his hotel and the industry as a whole. Fox Fold’s products are designed to be both sustainable and cost-effective, offering hotels a way to reduce waste and save money without compromising on quality.
In a recent development, Fox Fold signed a deal with global hotel group Accor, which has a presence in over 110 countries and is committed to eliminating all single-use plastic from its guest experience. The company’s facial tissue product, which is baffleless and refillable, aligns with Accor’s sustainability goals and represents a step towards reducing plastic waste in hotel rooms. Hegger envisions a future where major industry players like Kimberly Clark and Georgia Pacific follow suit and start producing sustainable toilet paper, ultimately transforming the way we think about disposable products in hotel bathrooms. With its innovative approach and growing presence in the hospitality industry, Fox Fold is paving the way for a more sustainable and cost-effective future in the hygiene paper market.
