Canada still makes a large amount of paper towels in Canada, led by a few large manufacturers with mills and production facilities. Alongside the industry giants, there are a few smaller Canadian brands reinventing the category with tree-free “paper” towels and other alternatives that cut waste. Below, you will find Canadian companies manufacturing traditional paper towels alongside newer brands using bamboo or other reusable formats.
Canadian Paper Towel Companies
Kruger Products 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Sherbrooke, Crabtree & Gatineau, QC; New Westminster, BC; Scarborough, ON, and one US-based facility
Where To Buy: Online and a wide range of retailers
Key Details:
- Canadian-owned company
- Supports thousands of Canadian jobs directly and indirectly
Kruger Products is Canada’s largest paper towel maker and manufactures most of its products here in Canada. For example, their Sponge Towels and Bonterra range is made in Canada using FSC-certified fibres sourced both in and outside of Canada. By manufacturing in Canada, Kruger supports thousands of domestic jobs and also shortens the supply chains for Canadian shoppers.
Cascades 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Various mills in Quebec
Where To Buy: Retailers across Canada
Key Details:
- Canadian-owned company
- Recycled and FSC paper towel options
Cascades is a Quebec-based Canadian company manufacturing across several facilities within the provides. Its product line includes options that incorporate recycled and FSC materials and come with third-party certifications. The company has a long history in Canada, having been founded in 1964, and today is one of the leading companies in its field, particularly in terms of collecting recycled fibres and providing sustainable paper towels for Canadians.
Royale 🍁
Manufacturing Location: US-based facilities
Where To Buy: Wide range of retailers nationwide
Key Details:
- Canadian-owned brand
- Wide range of paper products
Royale, under the ownership of the Canadian, family-owned company J.D. Irving, has roots reaching all the way back to 1882. Irving operates facilities in both Canada and the US and employs around 18,000 staff across its sites. The company is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its operations and has been replacing trees they use since 1957; that’s over a billion trees planted to date.
Caboo 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Canada (with imported bamboo)
Where To Buy: Online and retailers
Key Details:
- Canadian-developed brand
- Tree-free bamboo paper towels
Caboo is an innovative Canadian company that has popularised bamboo paper towels in Canada. Their tree-free “paper” towels are made from fast-growing bamboo instead of wood pulp. While the bamboo fibre has to be sourced from abroad, the towels are made in Canada. Caboo is a great alternative to paper towels for people looking to cut the use of virgin trees.
KLIIN 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Quebec
Where To Buy: Online and in stores
Key Details:
- Made in Quebec
- Cellulose-cotton cloths
KLIIN manufactures reusable, compostable sponge-cloths that can be used instead of paper towels. They soak up 15x their weight, dry quickly, and can even be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher. The KLIIN alternatives to paper towels are designed and produced in Quebec, and each cloth can replace several rolls of disposable paper towels. A great option for Canadians looking for a compostable, reusable alternative to paper towels.
Cheeks Ahoy 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Peterborough, Ontario
Where To Buy: Online and eco shops
Key Details:
- Woman-owned company
- Reusable “unpaper” towels
Cheeks Ahoy is another innovative Canadian company aiming to help consumers reduce their waste and carbon footprint. The company sews reusable “unpaper” towels from soft, absorbent cotton flannel. Their flannel towels are sized to fit standard paper-towel holders and come in pre-rolled or flat stack packs. Everything is made in Peterborough to ensure quality and durability.
Nature Bee 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Canada
Where To Buy: Online and eco retailers
Key Details:
- Canadian-owned and operated company
- Reusable “paper towel” alternatives
Nature Bee, based in British Columbia, makes reusable Swedish dishcloths, which offer Canadians an absorbent, quick-drying alternative to paper towels. These dishcloths are durable and compostable, thus reducing a lot of waste compared to traditional paper towels. Nature Bee’s Swedish dishcloths are a colourful, low-maintenance swap for Canadians looking to reduce waste.
Three Huggers 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Ontario
Where To Buy: Online and eco shops
Key Details:
- Woman-owned small business
- Reusable “paper” towels
Three Huggers is a Canadian woman-owned and operated company producing reusable paper towels and cloth wipes. All their products are hand-made in Ontario to ensure quality and durability. Their products are sized the same as standard paper towel sheets. These reusable options are worth looking into for anyone looking for a low-waste, budget-friendly alternative to paper towels.
