Our Story.

When we first visited Sri Lanka in 1998, we instantly fell in love with its people, sunshine and nature. Inspired by the island, we chose to stay and build a business rooted in ethical entrepreneurship, turning our creativity into our livelihood.

What began as a small workshop has grown into a Sri Lankan–Belgian enterprise supplying wholesalers worldwide. Every pot is made by hand from recycled paper and sealed with natural rubber, combining affordability, beauty and lasting value.

OUOBO founders in their workshop More than 25 years later, our organisation brings together over 200 people, with production in Sri Lanka and a warehouse in Belgium ensuring smooth and efficient delivery across Europe.

A maker shaping recycled paper in the OUOBO workshop

100% Recycled

We collect leftover paper from printing houses, packaging factories and even our own team. Material that would otherwise become waste forms the basis of our next collection. It is pulped, shaped, dried and finished by hand, then sealed with natural rubber. The result is practical, distinctive paper pottery designed to last. We also reuse other locally available residual materials, including wood dust and cinnamon wood.

Empowering Women

Life is expensive, and many mothers in Sri Lanka cannot take a full-time job when school finishes at 1 p.m. Our system enables them to work from home while caring for their children.

We provide training, materials free of charge and fair payment for every finished piece. A quality controller visits regularly to ensure consistency. Once approved, the semi-finished products come to our factory, where we complete, waterproof and pack them for shipment worldwide.

Women crafting paper pottery at the OUOBO workshop