NEOSPORIN(R) Brand Celebrates Earth Day With TerraCycle Partnership to Encourage Families to Recycle Expired Antibiotic Tubes

SKILLMAN, N.J., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent survey*, nearly 40 percent of consumers have an expired tube of topical antibiotic ointment in their medicine cabinet. In celebration of Earth Day's 40th anniversary, NEOSPORIN®, the number one doctor-recommended brand of topical antibiotic ointment, has partnered with TerraCycle, a company that recycles used packaging into high quality goods, to provide families the opportunity to discard their expired NEOSPORIN® tubes in an eco-friendly way.

Through the NEOSPORIN®/TerraCycle initiative, TerraCycle will recycle expired or empty NEOPSORIN® tubes to help eliminate the risk of these products going into landfills. Families are encouraged to join one of the 1,000 "NEOSPORIN® Tube Brigades" around the country to collect expired tubes from their home and community. Each NEOSPORIN® tube sent by a brigade to TerraCycle will raise $.02 for a non-profit organization or school of the brigade's choice.  Participation in a NEOSPORIN® Tube Brigade is completely free – there are no fees, not even shipping.  For more information on joining a brigade visit http://www.terracycle.net/brigades/43-NEOSPORIN-Tube-Brigade.  

"This is the first time TerraCycle has partnered with an over-the-counter medicine. This partnership presented us with a unique and worthy challenge with dual calls to action that are important to both the NEOSPORIN® brand and our organization -- first to ensure families are checking the expiration date of their medicines and second to give these families a way to responsibly dispose of the expired or empty tubes," said Albe Zakes, Vice President, Media Relations, TerraCycle.

"Too many families are keeping expired antibiotics, like NEOSPORIN®, in their homes, which may lose efficacy after the expiration date. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with TerraCycle to help keep this important message top of mind in households, and also provide a responsible and family fun opportunity to dispose of expired tubes," said Carmen Nestares, Senior Brand Manager, NEOSPORIN®.

*Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Wound Care Diary Study, January 2009.

About NEOSPORIN®

NEOSPORIN® Original First Aid Antibiotic Ointment, from the #1 Doctor-recommended brand, provides long-lasting infection protection and kills more types of infectious bacteria in laboratory tests than even the leading topical prescription antibiotic. Plus, NEOSPORIN® Original First Aid Antibiotic Ointment and a bandage help heal minor wounds four days faster than a bandage alone and may help minimize the appearance of scars. Harris Interactive, a leading custom market research firm, ranked the NEOSPORIN® Brand number 10 among 25 Highest Ranked Brands as part of their annual brand equity study in 2010. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.neosporin.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Albe Zakes is available for media interviews.

CONTACT:  Edwige Buteau, 212-994-7517, [email protected], for NEOSPORIN®

CONTACT: Albe Zakes, 609-393-4252 x233, [email protected], for TerraCycle

SOURCE NEOSPORIN(R)