How to tie different knots

In Supernova vol. 4.2. we show you how to make your own tyre swing. To secure the rope to both the tree and the tyre, you need to know how to tie a slipknot and a square knot. This is how...

Slip knot

1. Make a loop in the rope by twisting the rope.

2. Reach through the loop and grab the loose right end by the middle section.

3. Pull this section through the loop, but be careful not to let the end come through. A knot will form around the section you are holding.

4. You can now hook this knot.

Square knot

1. Hold each end of the rope in one hand.

2. Cross the ends of the rope over each other so that they make an 'X' and then loop them. Make sure to have enough space on each rope at the top to be able to loop them again.

3. Then loop the ends of the rope over each other again.

4. Pull on all four strands at the same time, which will tighten the knot and create the square knot.

There you have it! Now you can complete your tyre swing and monkey around to your heart's delight!

Compiled by Candice van Vuuren

The cell phone is NOT the babysitter this December holiday

How to avoid unwanted cell phone costs

Heading up customer inquiries in the Value-Added-Services industry has its challenges. Not least of all is the influx of calls from disgruntled subscribers whose cell phone statements have suddenly gone into orbit with the addition of services they had not thought they had subscribed to. Or had they?

Here’s a typical scenario that is impacting households across the country (even the world): Cindy has 101 things going on: Buy flowers. Fetch laundry. Pick the girls up from hockey practice. Ring her hubby to chat about the PTA this evening. Check in with Mum. But first there’s Andrew, nagging for her undivided attention while she makes a conference call to her colleagues. She hands over her smartphone and just like that, he’s off. The credit card statement arrives at the end of the month and her heart drops when she sees the balance owed: R3 000 charged to her App Store ID in the space of a few of hours, or a whopping R5 000 on her cell phone bill. While she managed to get important work done in peace, she paid the price in game downloads. There’s nothing novel about Cindy’s startling experience though.

There’s a new credit facility in your handbag or your back pocket – and it has buttons. Where buttons are involved, kids will be only too happy to dive into the online spending action. Call centre managers like Annelize Breedt, at Mira Networks, a busy VAS aggregator handling premium services, are asking parents: “When last did you have a chat with your teen, tween or even toddler about what goes on when they’re hidden behind your or their own smart device, plugging away on Angry Birds or Candy Crush?”

The convergence of Internet and mobile media has transformed purchasing possibilities. But lest it’s forgotten: a) kids are certainly not as naïve as anyone thinks they are, and b) are accessing online shops via mobile devices as naturally as getting homework done or going to the movies with friends.

In a time when most five-year-olds could show users how to navigate smartphones, and their library of apps and online services, there’s limited control over what they can and cannot access through these internet-enabled gadgets, judging by the number of queries where users admit that the new subscription service is running on their child’s mobile. Gone are the days of password protected accounts that only parents could control. Tots are now harnessing their own spending power at the touch of a button every time they purchase another mind-mushing game to babysit them while their parents are occupied with work commitments and social lives.

Because the engineering behind mobile app stores are geared towards getting the contract holder (in this case, Mummy or Daddy) to furnish their credit card details once, and then save their password, 'Voila!' once is enough and all it takes to turn tiny Tim into a shopaholic. All kids have to do is tap, tap and away they go with all measure of charges linked directly to the enlisted credit card that is an unwitting accomplice. It’s even simpler if the subscribed-to service has a WASP billing mechanism as costs are charged directly to the cell phone account or airtime balance.

Because smartphones are becoming more affordable, a child’s first mobile phone is likely to be a smart device. Alternatively, they are getting Mum and Dad’s hand-me-downs. Either way, these phones bring with their enhanced capabilities, a plethora of opportunities for their mobile use to go very, very wrong.

Even with double-opt-in pages for subscription premium services, it only takes a few taps (even from a child barely old enough to read), to agree to subscriptions they don’t fully understand, and certainly cannot afford.

Breedt, a mother herself, and who has been handling queries for six years, says “While it seems common sense to an adult, it’s important that we actively teach our children the primary purpose of their new phone, which is to contact, or to be contactable by their parents, caregivers and then friends, and that anything else will probably involve an additional cost.”

The cell phone, which has the potential to replace the television as a babysitting alternative, comes with even more risks. We live in an age of ‘all access,’ which makes it even more paramount for parents to make their little ones aware of the precautions they must take to protect their identity and spending habits while Internet browsing.

Ultimately, it is a parent’s responsibility to ensure their child knows the rules. A child cannot easily walk into a bank and open a credit card account, so why do we so easily entrust an open-ended credit facility at their fingertips? Breedt concludes: “Responsible mobile use is the key to managing unwanted mobile costs and nasty surprises. Particularly as we head into the festive season and the school holidays.”

About Mira Networks

Mira Networks is a pioneer in wireless application services (WASPs) and one of South Africa’s oldest and most trusted mobile VAS aggregators. Not to be confused with information gatherers and disseminators, Mira Networks is a technologically advanced infrastructure network, which acts as an information switch between the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Content Service Providers (CSPs) and consumers (Subscribers). It offers a variety of messaging and billing solutions to clients, allowing them to seamlessly connect with subscribers who use either feature or smartphones. With its team of in-house developers, Mira Networks leads the way in quickly adapting to market conditions, providing professional and cost effective services throughout the value chain. Visit www.miranetworks.net.

Press release by Networx Public Relations.

Discover King Tutankhamun's treasures

King Tutankhamun's golden mask

We can just imagine how excited Howard Carter must have been when he finally discovered King Tutankhamun's tomb, if we could barely contain our excitement to see the many treasures he unearthed!

On 2 December 2014 editor of Supernova, Andrea Vermaak, attended the opening of the internationally acclaimed exhibition Tutankhamun – His Tomb and His Treasures at Silverstar Casino in Muldersdrift. Housed in the new venue, The Globe, the exhibition showcases over 1000 exquisitely reconstructed burial treasures produced by the finest Egyptian craftsmen under scientific supervision.

Andrea first watched a multimedia presentation about British archaeologist Howard Carter, and his exploration and excavation of King Tut's tomb. She also learnt a bit of the history of the young pharaoh, and the culture of ancient Egypt.

King Tutankhamun's coffins 

Andrea then got to share Carter's excitement as she viewed a perfectly replicated, life-size reconstruction of Tutankhamun's tomb at its moment of discovery, before taking a tour among its many beautiful antiquities. Her favourite pieces of the exhibition include a golden chariot and an astonishingly beautiful throne, not to mention King Tut's famous golden mask. Pieces that peeked her interest include statues that represent a servant for every day of the year in King Tut's afterlife, as well as different games, and useful tools and everyday objects that were buried with him.

Golden chariot

Useful objects for the afterlife

An informative audio guide (included in the ticket price) made the experience more enjoyable and fulfilling, but Andrea found that a casual wander through the hall, simply reading the plagues and taking in all that glitters, was just as enjoyable.

This must-see exhibition runs until 12 April 2015. Tickets are on sale at www.tut-exhibition.co.za and www.silverstarcasino.co.za

For more information, videos and images of this amazing exhibition, visit www.tut-exhibition.co.za.

Sachmet, lion-headed goddess

Get your copy of Supernova, the mag for curious kids vol. 4.2 to read all about 

King Tutankhamun's interesting life! 

Order online: http://www.supernovamagazine.co.za/assets/supernova-order-form.pdf

Photos copyright of Andrea Vermaak

Learning to wakeskate with SA champ Matt Buys

Storm, Matt and Caitlyn

With summer finally in full-swing and SA wakeskating champ Matt Buys back in the country, it was time to give our competition winner, Storm Ryder (13) and her friend Caitlyn Stott (10) their wakeskating lesson.

On 16 December, we all met Matt at StokeCity WakePark in Midrand. StokeCity WakePark sponsored two day-passes, life vests and helmets for the girls. We headed to the two-tower cable system for beginners, called The Straight, at the CablePark. Matt gave a quick demonstration on how to sit in the water with the wakeskate and how to lift yourself up to be pulled along by the cable.

Although nervous, Caitlyn strapped in first. She got the hang of it quite quickly as Matt patiently guided her on how to ride the cable for longer without falling. “I had to bend my knees and straighten my arms, but I straightened my legs and bent my arms. I straightened my legs because I felt like I was going to sink.” Before long, Caitlyn rode halfway across the width of the dam, like a pro, doing a little happy dance on the board. “It gets more exciting the more you do it,” said Caitlyn.

...and Caitlyn is off!

Caitlyn's got it!

Our winner Storm was also nervous at first, but she also quickly gained confidence, enough to ride the whole width of the dam and back at full-speed, impressing everyone, but especially Matt. “Once you get the hang of it, you realise it's fine and just go for it. I really want to do this. It's so fun!” said Storm.

Storm goes the distance

Storm rides like a pro

Despite their initial nerves, the girls had tons of fun and took turns on the cable. Falling did not deter them! Matt was as impressed with the girls as we were.

If you would like to learn how to wakeskate, visit StokeCity WakePark's website today for more details: stokecity.co.za. It's the most fun you can have on water!

Learning how to wakeskate comes with a few
failed attempts, but it adds to the fun!

Supernova would like to thank Nicky Vermeulen for organising such an amazing prize, Matt Buys for giving the girls a great day of fun, and StokeCity WakePark for sponsoring the prize. Stay stoked!

Happy holidays from the Supernova team!

Supernova exercises your mind!

Supernova vol. 4.2

This issue really showcases Supernova’s philosophy: to broaden horizons through a magazine that explodes with fun and interesting articles. We really believe in giving our minds a good jog to keep them fit and healthy.

We flex our minds’ muscles as we monkey around a little before we take a slow trot into the world of horses. As our minds begin to warm up, we race back in time to ancient Egypt to discover the life of the boy king, Tutankhamun. Our minds begin to get fit for the new year as we sprint into outer space to take a closer look at neutron stars.

There is so much more to help you exercise your mind in the latest issue of Supernova. Run on over to our website to get your copy today.

Neutron stars

Tutankhamun

To subscribe:

Email: subscriptions@bkpublishing.co.za
Tel: +27 12 342 5347
Web: www.supernovamagazine.co.za

Win a copy of 'Jaimie and the Magic Whistle'

Jamie and the Magic Whistle

Helen Brain & Nicky Webb

Illustrations by Rico Schacherl

All Jamie wants is to impress her headmistress, but she knows it's going to take more than good grades. With a dog show around the corner, Jamie has a plan to turn her scruffy, mischievous dog Fungi into the Best Behaved Dog in the competition. All she needs is Doctor Knights Magic Whistle, but with her irritating cousin coming to visit and her brother’s monkey causing trouble, this task seems almost impossible for Jamie. A tummy-tickling read that is sure to leave an impression. Helen Brain and Nicky Webb have created a must-read.

Review by Candice van Vuuren

Win a copy of Jamie and the Magic Whistle courtesy of Human and Rousseau. 

Click on the image below for more information. 

Terms and Conditions for Supernova competitions

1. Competition ends, Friday 30 January 2015 . 2. All entries must include name and surname, age, date of birth and contact details. 3. Persons entering the competition must be 18 years or under.  4. Competition is open to anyone except the employees  (or members of their immediate families) of Supernova magazine or advertisers or prize sponsors. 5. The closing date specified for the competition is final and no late entries will be allowed. 6. If you win a competition you will be notified via telephone or email.  7. The judges’ decision is final. 8. The prize will not be redeemable for cash and is non-transferable. 9.Supernova magazine is not responsible for delayed or lost entries. 10. Supernova magazine is not responsible for the loss or damage of a prize after it has been sent to the winner. 11. Incorrect entries will be disqualified. 12. Supernova magazine may use the information given in the entry for BK Publishing's internal database. All the information will be kept confidential. 13. If the competition requires the entrant to provide illustrations, photographs or any original artwork by the entrant, the submission of the work will constitute a consensual release and will allow Supernova and the competition organiser to publish your artwork in the magazine and online. 14. If you enter this competition we will assume that you have read trough the Terms and Conditions, and that you understand and agree with them. 

An uplifting evening

with authors of Soccer Farm and Inspiring Champions

Benoit Knox, Lourens Erasmus and Dr Henning Gericke

BK Publishing hosted a live discussion with Mr Lourens Erasmus and Dr Henning Gericke, authors of Soccer Farm and Inspiring Champions, respectively, at the SMALL Artist Studio and Project Space in Rietondale, Pretoria. The purpose of the evening was to celebrate the publishing of the books, as well as to thank everyone who supported the authors in their writing and publishing journeys.

The evening was a great success. It was opened with readings from the respective books. Publisher Benoit Knox then opened the discussion, followed by questions for each of the authors. Members of the audience were also given an opportunity to ask the honoured guests questions. The audience was left inspired and uplifted by the captivating discussion.

There were a few well-known faces in the audience, including Cameron van der Burgh, Dan Skinstad, Jonathan Mokuena and Gerhard Swarts, all of whom wrote their ‘Green and Gold’ stories for Inspiring Champions. Marks Maponyane, the all-time top goal scorer for Kaizer Chiefs, and Lourens' hero “since [he] was twelve”, was also in the audience. Lourens personally thanked him in Setswana.

Knox says of Inspiring Champions and Soccer Farm, “They are two very different books, but both are filled with stories of human endeavour in the face of adversity, stories of personal growth and ambition, of pushing boundaries and living lives worth living. Two books that every South African should read.”

SMALL Artist Studio and Project Space

To order your copy of each book, visit www.bkpublishing.co.za. For more details contact BK Publishing at +27 (0)12 342 5347 or admin@bkpublishing.co.za

Look out for more photographs from this event in an upcoming post.

Press release by Andrea Vermaak

Meet SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer

Meet SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer at the

DStv Kids Xtravaganza this festive season for not-to-be-missed holiday magic

Children’s favourites Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Nick Jr’s Dora the Explorer will be performing live in their own shows at the DStv Kids Xtravaganza, which takes place at Vodacom World in Midrand from 12 to 15 December.

It’s festive season holiday entertainment at its best for the entire family. The two popular characters from Nickelodeon (DStv Channel 305) and Nick Jr. (DStv Channel 307) will keep youngsters entertained during the holiday break with three live hour-long stage shows every day followed by a 90-minute session in the massive Fun Zone with a host of activities, including face painting and gaming stations. There will also be fantastic SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer products to buy.

Both SpongeBob and Dora are global TV phenomena – regularly ranking among the top children’s programmes around the world. For the past six years in South Africa, SpongeBob has been named the Coolest Cartoon Character in the Generation Next Survey and lists Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver, and David and Victoria Beckham among his many celebrity fans. During the DStv Kids Xtravaganza live shows, both cartoon stars will perform exclusive sing-alongs for their fans.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with DStv on this wonderful event, bringing kids and families together with Nick Jr. favourite Dora the Explorer and Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants. Dora and SpongeBob are loved by families all over the world and it gives us great pleasure to bring them to life with DStv Kids Xtravaganza,” says Asania Parsadh, Head: Nickelodeon Africa.

SpongeBob Squarepants lives in a pineapple with his pet snail Gary. He is an incurably optimistic and well-intentioned sponge. He always finds himself in hot water without really trying, and he’s not usually alone, as wherever SpongeBob goes, his best friend Patrick Starfish is never far behind. SpongeBob performs in a show which is fully interactive and will incorporate various media elements.

Dora the Explorer is an adventurous five-year-old Latina heroine who actively involves pre-schoolers to help her on her play-along adventures. She is joined by her fearless and determined cousin Diego and a monkey, her best friend called Boots. Dora, Diego, Boots and host Sam will perform in the live shows which consist of fun nursery rhymes and popular songs with a Spanish twist.

The DStv Kids Xtravaganza takes place from Friday 12 December to Monday 15 December. Show times are at 09h30; 12h30 and 15h30. Tickets are available at Computicket at R135 a person and includes entrance to the live shows (40 min Dora the Explorer show and 20 min SpongeBob SquarePants show) as well as 90 minutes access in the Fun Zone.

Get your tickets now for this December’s best holiday entertainment.

The DStv Kids Xtravaganza is brought to you by Vodacom World in proud association with Glomail, Sony PlayStation, Mitsubishi Motors and Kaya FM.

Online links:

· Website: www.dstv.com/kids

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dstvkidx

Issued by Total Exposure.

Penguins spotted making their way to Ster-Kinekor IMAX® theatres…

“PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR is the movie event that will blow their cover…”

The mystery around the strange sightings of penguins in various parts of the city this week has finally been resolved, much to the relief of the public and the penguins’ counterparts, who are all still safely ensconced in their various penguin enclosures around the country! The identity of the four penguins spotted in all manner of crazy situations – bouncing on a jumping castle, catching a ride in a taxi, crossing the road and munching on cheesy snacks – are none other than our favourite ‘flippered’ friends, ‘Skipper’, ‘Rico’, ‘Kowalski’ and ‘Private’.

You can see them strutting their ‘secret agent’ stuff as they “Hi-1” each other in solving the mystery of the slimy-green “bazooka serum”, in Penguins of Madagascar. Ster-Kinekor is releasing this much-anticipated film from Dreamworks® at its two IMAX® 3D theatres at Gateway in Durban and The Grove Mall in Pretoria on Friday 28 November, a week before its national release on Friday 5 December.

In recognition of these four flippin’ fabulous, feathered friends and their super-sleuth skills, Ster-Kinekor and Times Media Films, the film’s local distributor, have declared Friday, 28 November as National Penguin Day. They are encouraging all South Africans to embrace the day by wearing black-and-white and posting photos of themselves – resplendent in their penguin colours - on Ster-Kinekor’s Facebook page. There are great prizes up for grabs for the best-dressed photos, including tickets to see the film at IMAX® and hampers of movie merchandise.

But wait… there’s more! To announce the start of the summer holidays, Ster-Kinekor is giving penguin-lovers across the country the chance to catch the film before its national release date. On Sunday, 30 November, and Wednesday, 03 December, Penguins of Madagascar will have special pre-screenings at all Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationally, at select times.

As South Africans become all a-flutter about the Penguins of Madagascar this  December, the public can also make a positive difference to ensure the continued safety and care of our country’s famous penguin population.

To tie in with the release of Penguins of Madagascar, Ster-Kinekor and 20^th Century Fox are adopting four penguins – and are encouraging you to follow suit. The adoption of the birds is through a partnership with SANCCOB, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds.

Every year around Christmas time, SANCCOB receives numerous abandoned African Penguin chicks. In order to give these chicks a chance to grow into healthy, adult penguins, SANCCOB is appealing to the public to adopt a Christmas penguin chick. Your adoption entitles you to name the chick, while your donation will pay for its rehabilitation and release back into the wild. For more information on how to adopt a penguin chick this December, visit www.sanccob.co.za.

If you go down to Ster-Kinekor The Grove Mall in Pretoria East or Bayside Mall in Tableview in Cape Town, on Sunday 30 November, to catch one of the special screenings of Penguins of Madagascar, you’ll be in for an extra surprise! Penguins from Pretoria Zoo will be on display at The Grove, and SANCCOB’s special ambassador African Penguin, Rocky, will make an appearance at Bayside – both these events are taking place from 10:30 to 11:30 on 30 November.

The public will be able to meet these wonderful creatures and learn more about the ongoing conservation programmes to ensure the survival of these iconic South African birds. It will also be the perfect time to adopt a penguin, before enjoying the spy-like antics of Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private on the big screen in Penguins of Madagascar!

So, with National Penguin Day on Friday 28 November, to coincide with the release of Penguins of Madagascar in IMAX® 3D at Gateway and The Grove; pre-screenings of the film on 30 November and 3 December at Ster-Kinekor cinemas countrywide; and the opportunity to get up close with these flippered friends at The Grove Pretoria and Bayside Cape Town on 30 November, there is no escaping the penguins this summer – unless of course, Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private have some other sneaky plan up their flippers... and escape first!

For more information about Penguins of Madagascar at Ster-Kinekor and IMAX®, and to make bookings, download the Ster-Kinekor App on any Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or BlackBerry smart phone. Visit www.sterkinekor.com. To find out about other exciting offers and promotions, follow @sterkinekor on Twitter or on Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres. For queries, contact Ticketline on 0861 Movies (668 437).

SYNOPSIS - Penguins of Madagascar

The penguins from the smash-hit Madagascar get their own film as secret agents in this animated adventure comedy. When a villainous octopus named Dave (voice of John Malkovich) hatches a plan to eliminate all penguins from zoos across the world, Skipper (Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Chris Miller), Rico (John DiMaggio) and Private (Christopher Knights) are forced to team up with a clandestine, secret service-type animal organisation known as North Wind, under the leadership of Classified (Benedict Cumberbatch), to thwart the diabolical plan.

Trailer: http://www.sterkinekor.com/#/trailer/6643/IMAX%203D%20-%20The%20Penguins%20of%20Madagascar/

Issued by Amplified Communication on behalf of Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

Strange behaviour in penguin enclosure…

The curator in charge of the penguins at the Pretoria Zoo, has reported some rather unusual activity in the birds’ enclosure. It appears that some of the penguins are on the move – four small suitcases were spotted near the exit, and some of the black-and-white birds were seen sporting colourful summer hats. This behaviour is most unusual and cannot be explained at this stage. However, a highly-trained team of secret agents has been posted near the enclosure to keep an eye out for any further movement.

Also in penguin news: ‘Elijah, would’ you believe that reports are coming in of penguins literally putting their beaks up at the fish being offered to them for their daily meal – the same fish that they have been enjoying day in and out in the past. Some of the birds were also spotted with strange orange stains around the beak and throat area, and are being monitored closely by their keepers.

We will update you on more news as it becomes available to us…

Breaking news from Ireland/Davenport.

Happy Children's Day!

Supernova, the mag for curious kids, wishes all our readers a very happy Children's Day!

The event of the year is around the corner...

Learning to fly with SA's best-loved teen

Spud 3: Learning to Fly

Spud 3: Learning to Fly

Based on the best-selling novel by Durbanite John van de Ruit, and directed by John Barker, Spud 3: Learning to Fly continues the story of John 'Spud' Milton (Troye Sivan) and the antics of the Crazy 8 in all their glory.

We get a front row seat into the life of a perceptive teenager who, like most his age, struggles to keep his head above water. When he isn't trying to keep his straight A record, he's trying to impress his teachers on stage and on the sports' field to secure his scholarship for his last year at school. His last resort is to 'push for prefect', breaking a pact which tears the (seriously) Crazy 8 apart. All this while trying to find love and keep his parents' marriage from failing.

This third instalment introduces Casper Lee, a world famous South African YouTuber, as the annoying, yet hilarious 'Garlic' from Malawi. This young actor has a promising future in film. We can't imagine anyone else taking on the role of Garlic! John Cleese is back as The Gov, promising more endearing moments, however insane they may seem, from the much-loved English teacher.

Peppered with unique, proudly South African humour, Spud 3: Learning to Fly is a roller-coaster ride of laughs and tears from beginning to end, but mostly good ol' belly chuckles and much insanity. It's a story to which we can all relate, as we try to remain level-headed in a seemingly chaotic world where the pressure to stand out grows to beyond what we think we can handle.

Due to hit SA cinemas on 28 November 2014, Spud 3: Learning to Fly is a definite must-see for all!

Watch the official trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=buTONkbIf8s

 Review by Andrea Vermaak

Holiday fun with Amuse

What’s your 'soda in a bottle' IQ?

Did you know that just over 6 billion kilograms of garbage is dumped into the ocean every year and that plastic water bottles play a major roll in this staggering statistic, with many of them eventually ending up on the ocean floor?

The major chemicals that go into the making of plastic are highly toxic and similar noxious substances are emitted during the production of plastic – all of which impact negatively on humans, animals and the Earth’s fragile ecosystem. Plastic in the garbage (and not recycled) absorbs organic pollutants that were already in existence, thus increasing the overall pollution which gets into soil and water, and eventually into animals' systems when they ingest the water.

There is no way around the fact that plastic causes serious damage to the environment during its production and disposal process. The only way to reduce the hazards of plastic pollution is to reduce its usage an, thereby, force a reduction in its production.

Enter Sodastream. This 21^st century eco-friendly home sodamaker makes going green so much easier, especially for those who want to be green but never have the time to recycle all those plastic bottles. Its BPA-free bottle with a 3-year lifespan guarantees that no unwanted plastic bottles are left cluttering up your bin or decomposing in landfills. In fact, it reduces the use of plastic bottles for the the average family by almost 1700 bottles per year. The added bonus? Sodastream’s regular flavour range contains only a 1/3 of the sugar of store-bought fizzy drinks, ensuring that you can both care for the planet and be good to yourself!

Now, just to make sure you get the message loud and clear, try our 'bottled soda' IQ test.

1. How long does it take for a single-use plastic water bottle to biodegrade?

a) 100 years; b) 450 years; c) 1000 years

2. How many soda and water plastic bottles worldwide land up in landfills every year?

a) 340 billion bottles; b) 340 million bottles; c) 340 000 bottles

3. Which dangerous compound in plastic may cause heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities in adults, as well as brain and hormone development problems in fetuses and young children.

a) Bisphenol-A; b) Polyethylene; c) Oxygen

4. How many litres of water does it take to make 1L of bottled water?

a) 1L; b) 2L; c) 3L

ANSWERS

1. C) Source: http://www.container-recycling.org/

2. A) Source: http://www.sodastream.com/saving-bottles-counter

3. B) Source: http://bit.ly/1CZmzbr

4. C) Source: http://bit.ly/1lZLVkq

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sodastreamsa

Issued by Riana Greenblo Communications on behalf of Sodastream SA.