Fox Fold, a Vancouver-based startup, is revolutionizing the hotel bathroom experience with sustainable toilet tissue made from bamboo rather than trees, and a dispenser that eliminates the need to throw out unused product. The company estimates that an average premium hotel with 300 rooms goes through just over 40,000 rolls of tissue paper per year, with up to half of that inventory getting thrown away. This leads to a significant cost in waste each year, making Fox Fold’s sustainable products a cost-effective solution for hotels looking to boost their green credentials.
Cofounders, CEO Ludovic Siouffi and COO Greg Hegger, both left lucrative careers to pursue their entrepreneurial dream of creating more sustainable and less wasteful toilet paper. Their innovative idea quickly gained traction with hotel owners and operators eager to reduce waste and save money. Fox Fold’s products are not only sustainable but also cost-effective, making them an attractive option for hotels looking to embrace sustainability without breaking the bank. The company’s partnership with designers and manufacturers, as well as an equity partner, has allowed them to develop and expand their product offerings.
Vancouver and Toronto were the startup’s initial target markets, but following their success at U.S. trade shows, Fox Fold is now gaining traction with larger hotel chains across North America. The brand’s unique combination of sustainability and cost savings has resonated with hotels looking to reduce their environmental impact while also cutting costs. Chris Nelson, owner of Pacific Sands Beach Resort, attests to the benefits of Fox Fold’s products, noting that they support the resort’s mission to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce waste. He has also invested in the business to participate in its growth as it expands across the industry.
Most recently, Fox Fold secured a deal with global hotel group Accor, which operates in over 110 countries and many hotel brands. Accor has been committed to eliminating single-use plastic from its guest experience, making Fox Fold’s sustainable facial tissue product a perfect fit for their sustainability goals. The partnership with Accor highlights the increasing importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry and the growing demand for alternative products that align with these goals. Fox Fold’s innovative design, which eliminates plastic from facial tissue boxes, is a step forward in reducing waste in hotel guest rooms and moving towards a more sustainable future.
Hegger’s short- to medium-term ambition is to see major players in the industry follow suit and start producing foldable toilet paper. He envisions a future where traditional toilet paper rolls are a thing of the past, replaced by more sustainable and efficient alternatives like Fox Fold’s products. The company’s success in attracting major hotel chains and industry investors demonstrates the growing interest in sustainability and the potential for innovative solutions to drive positive change. As Fox Fold continues to expand its reach and impact, the founders remain committed to their mission of reducing waste and promoting sustainability in the hospitality industry.
