These are still disposable but they're much more similar to traditional swabs than, say, the reusable LastSwab. I appreciated that not only are they packaged in a little snug paperboard box, they came shipped to us in a very small cardboard box with no wasteful packing material. Highly recommend these for anyone looking to reduce their impact but not ready to use a reusable swab yet, or for whom a reusable swab is not suitable for whatever reason - these are absorbent which is perhaps more useful for some situations.