On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the recycling centers and landfills will resume operations. AVL asks for your understanding regarding this temporary restriction and recommends rescheduling your drop-off for another day or using a different recycling center.

Several school classes participating in the “Climate Protection in Schools” (KiS) project in the Ludwigsburg district traveled to attend the performances. Afterward, the students were able to ask questions of the theater group members and representatives from the Ludwigsburg District Office: What does it mean for the climate when I throw food away? Why is locally grown food better than imported food? Which foods are the most climate-friendly? The students shared ideas on how they themselves can contribute to a more just, climate-friendly world. In addition, those in attendance gained exciting behind-the-scenes insights into theater and music.

Part of the “Climate Protection in Schools” Project

The event was part of the district-wide “Climate Protection in Schools” project, which is coordinated by the Climate Protection Division of the Ludwigsburg District Office and funded by the Ludwigsburg District Savings Bank’s Foundation for Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation. The project’s goal is to integrate climate protection measures into everyday school life and to strengthen the school community’s sense of self-efficacy. Through KiS, municipalities and schools work together to conserve resources in the areas of buildings & energy, mobility, and consumption. The project is open to all types of schools.

“Climate education means more than just imparting knowledge. We want to motivate young people to recognize their role in climate protection and to actively help shape it. Events like this make an important contribution to that,” emphasized Kristin Wagner, head of the Department of Environment, Technology, and Construction at the Ludwigsburg District Office.

Dirk Langer, principal of the Hanfbach School, was also delighted by the theater group’s guest performance: “The lively performance and the discussions that followed showed the students that the big step toward a more just world can begin with their own small actions. We are very pleased to offer our students such experiences and to have made the performance possible as hosts.”

More information about the KiS project is available at: https://www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/klimaschutz/klima-und-umweltbildung

About theaterspiel

theaterspiel is a traveling children’s and youth theater company based in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia. With more than ten productions, theaterspiel tours throughout the entire German-speaking world and reaches approximately 35,000 people with around 250 performances each year. The in-house productions are developed with the help of expert knowledge and reflect current social issues and questions.

The school kindergarten also benefits from the expansion

Special attention was also given to the needs of the school kindergarten. Through the floor plan design, it was given its own clearly defined area with a separate entrance. This ensures that daily routines at the school and kindergarten are organized efficiently and that the different requirements of both facilities are taken into account. A spacious new activity room offers the children additional opportunities for physical activity, play, and individualized support.

Principal Nico Safai emphasized the importance of the new spaces for educational work: “With the expansion, we’re not only gaining much-needed space, but above all new opportunities to support the children and young people even better according to their individual needs. The bright classrooms, the additional group rooms, and the new activity areas create excellent conditions for this. My thanks go to everyone who made this project possible and supported us during the construction period.”

Building While School Is in Session: A Special Challenge

The initial planning steps for the expansion were set in motion in collaboration with the school’s then-principal, Rüdiger Hezel. After he retired in the summer of 2023, Nico Safai took over the project and oversaw it with great dedication. Carrying out construction work while classes were in session presented the entire school community with unique challenges. This made constructive cooperation and effective coordination among all involved all the more important.

The construction phase also required organizational solutions for the school’s kindergarten: During the 2025–26 school year, its two classes were temporarily relocated. During the construction work, they found a temporary home in the facilities of the school kindergarten at the Schule am Favoritepark and the Fröbel School kindergarten in the Schuldorf Favoritepark, respectively. This collaboration proved to be an enriching experience and demonstrated the importance of mutual support and flexibility.

More Than Just Additional Space: Bright Prospects for the Future

With the dedication of the expansion, the Paul-Aldinger-Schule gains modern facilities that meet growing demands and provide long-term support for educational work. “The new spaces are thus more than just additional floor space: they create favorable conditions for learning, development, and participation, and strengthen the prospects of the entire school community for the years to come,” said District Administrator Allgaier.

Museum Quarter and Historic Buildings

Right in the heart of Marbach, the Museum Quarter invites visitors to experience cultural diversity just a short walk away. The complex brings together five cultural institutions: Schiller’s birthplace, the Tobias Mayer Museum, the Fritz Genkinger Art House, the historic Jäger oil mill, and the Upper Gate Tower. Together with the historic old town, its half-timbered houses, and its unique charm, they bring the town’s history to life in a variety of ways. Another distinctive landmark of the former district seat of Marbach is the Alexanderkirche, a cultural and historical gem.

Quality of Life and Nature

About 16,000 people live in Marbach, a family-friendly town with good infrastructure and a wide range of educational opportunities. As the gateway to the Bottwartal valley, the town offers excellent opportunities for leisure and recreation. The Neckar River, the vineyards, and the charming countryside surrounding Marbach invite visitors to enjoy walks, bike rides, and a variety of outdoor activities. Families also benefit from a wide range of general education schools and well-developed childcare services.

Location and Transportation

The “Schiller City” is conveniently located near local and regional roads and has a fast S-Bahn connection to Stuttgart. A well-developed network of bike paths connects Marbach with the surrounding area.

Community Engagement
Marbach is characterized by a diverse array of community organizations and a strong sense of civic engagement. Numerous clubs, initiatives, and dedicated residents contribute to a vibrant community life and make the town a wonderful place to live and love. As a Fairtrade Town, Marbach also takes responsibility for sustainable and fair practices.

Neckar Landscape – Shaping the Future

With the 2033 Garden Show, which Marbach will host jointly with Benningen, the town is also looking to the future. The anticipation for this special project is already palpable today.

For more information, visit www.schillerstadt-marbach.de/meta/start/.

Unique Communities in the District

With the “Discover Our Region” series, the Ludwigsburg District Economic Development Agency is highlighting, step by step, what makes the municipalities in the district unique. Each municipality contributes in its own way to the region’s economic strength, quality of life, and diversity.

Further information and insights are available at www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/landratsamt-landkreis/wirtschaftsfoerderung/ under the “Discover Our Region” tab or on the District Administration’s social media channels on Instagram (www.instagram.com/landratsamt_ludwigsburg/) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/landkreis.ludwigsburg/).

The film “Mother Mary” starts at 2:30 p.m. This drama isn’t about blindness, but rather about personal limits and the spotlight. The film tells the story of the pop star of the same name, played by Anne Hathaway. Behind the glamorous stage facade, Mary is exhausted and under enormous pressure. For her planned comeback, she seeks support from her former friend and collaborator Sam Anselm, a fashion designer played by Michaela Coel. The two women haven’t seen each other in years. As Sam designs a new stage outfit for Mary, old conflicts, memories, and hurts resurface.

This dramatic film explores questions of identity, perception, and life in the spotlight.

Experience vision for yourself: simulation goggles and a health quiz

Before the film and following the screening, visitors will have the opportunity to gain a vivid understanding of various eye diseases and visual impairments.

Using various simulation glasses, participants can experience how conditions such as cataracts or other visual impairments can affect perception.

A quiz about the eye and vision provides interesting facts about symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and early detection. You can win a drugstore gift card worth 25 euros.

The price of 9 euros includes admission to the film as well as coffee or tea. The event is a collaboration between the Ludwigsburg City Senior Citizens’ Council (Stadtseniorenrat Ludwigsburg e.V.), the Central Filmtheater Ludwigsburg, and the Health Department of the District Administration.

Jointly Assessing the Project’s Future

Since 2017, costs totaling approximately 660,000 euros have been incurred for studies on the reactivation of the Bottwartalbahn. These costs are being shared by Heilbronn County—including the city of Heilbronn—Ludwigsburg County, and the participating Bottwartal municipalities. In addition to the feasibility study, further investigations have already been commissioned that are required for the so-called standardized assessment.

Further studies necessary to prepare for the Standardized Assessment are currently underway. Since the entire route is being considered and the specific route alignment in both districts is being examined in detail, further coordination and reviews are required. In addition, the city of Heilbronn is having various inner-city route alternatives examined. As things stand, the Standardized Assessment is expected to be completed by mid-2027.

“We should not be too quick to question the work done so far. The Bottwartalbahn is an important project for the future of mobility in our region. Now, together with our partners, we must clarify what consequences the state’s decision will have for the ongoing studies and what options remain open to us,” says Norbert Heuser, District Administrator of the Heilbronn district.

Prospects for the Bottwartalbahn remain to be examined

It is currently unclear whether and to what extent the results of the studies conducted so far can be used in a future reassessment. In the event of a prolonged interruption, there is a risk that the framework conditions will change and that studies will need to be updated or supplemented. Nor is it currently possible to give a serious answer to the question of whether resuming the project in five years is realistic.

Discussions with Project Partners Planned

The Ludwigsburg district will soon reach an agreement with the project partners on how to proceed. These partners include the Heilbronn district, the city of Heilbronn, and the participating municipalities of Marbach, Murr, Steinheim, Großbottwar, and Oberstenfeld, as well as Beilstein, Ilsfeld, and Talheim in the Heilbronn district.

Großbottwar’s mayor, Ralf Zimmermann, emphasizes the importance of a coordinated approach: “The state’s decision presents us with challenges. Our goal must be to decide on the next steps based on a reliable foundation and to carefully assess the project’s prospects. For me, the state’s decision is a mandate for us municipalities: to make intensive use of the next five years and finally move the planning forward.”

At this point, it is too early to write off the reactivation. First, clarity must be established regarding the implications of the decision. On this basis, the project partners intend to consult jointly on what options for action exist and how to proceed with the plans developed so far. The Ludwigsburg district will inform the public in due course about the next steps and the results of the discussions with the project partners.

Transportation Minister Nicole Razavi announced last week that the state is classifying the reactivation of the Markgröningen Railway as a priority project. She announced that the state would provide half of the upfront funding for the planning costs. Subsequent co-financing of the implementation by the state is contingent upon federal funding under the Municipal Transportation Financing Act.

District Administrator Allgaier: “There have been differing resolutions in the individual municipalities and cities within the district. Our goal is to reach a consensus among the individual municipal councils by the end of March 2027.”

Technical presentations at the elected officials’ forum addressed the municipal resolutions, the options under consideration, and questions regarding funding, operating costs, cost allocation, and the timeline. The Deutsche Bahn operational program study that was presented received particular attention. According to the study, a 30-minute service interval with trains arriving at Ludwigsburg station is possible, provided the schedule is structured according to a specific pattern: trains arriving at the station at the 16- and 46-minute marks and departing six minutes later. Other time slots are not possible due to track occupancy. A 20- or 15-minute service frequency is not possible due to track occupancy, explained a representative of DB InfraGo. The company, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, is responsible for the further development of the rail infrastructure.

In a moderated discussion, the elected officials addressed outstanding questions with the speakers and planners.

In closing, District Administrator Allgaier summarized: “The state’s decision is an important signal for the Markgröningen railway. We intend to tackle the next steps while respecting municipal decisions and in consultation with our partners.” Together with the members Remseck, Schwieberdingen, and the Pattonville Special-Purpose Association—which, following resolutions by the Ludwigsburg City Council, have each passed municipal and special-purpose association resolutions to withdraw from the planning process—discussions are underway that are scheduled to be concluded by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

The elected officials’ forum served as a platform for information and discussion. It does not replace municipal resolutions or formal decisions by the relevant bodies.

Changes to Individual Bus Routes

• Route 501: Buses coming from Feuerbach will terminate at the Schwieberdingen Glemstal stop. The stops in Hemmingen will be skipped.
• Route 502: Between Hemmingen and Feuerbach, buses will follow a detour via the L1141. In Hemmingen, the Schwieberdinger Straße and Schlosshaldenstraße stops will also be served. With the exception of a few late-night trips, the stops in Schwieberdingen will be omitted. However, during peak hours, a bus on Route 502 will operate between Schwieberdingen Glemstal and Feuerbach. In return, the additional trips between Hemmingen and Riet will be canceled.
• Line 503: This bus line will not be affected until the second construction phase, which begins on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Buses will run as usual between Feuerbach and Schwieberdingen Glemstal, turn around there, and continue via the B10 toward or from Vaihingen/Enz. No stops will be skipped.
• Line 531A: Buses will run as usual between Markgröningen and Schwieberdingen Glemstal and will be rerouted between Hemmingen and Schwieberdingen via the B10 and L1141. Buses will depart from Hemmingen ten minutes earlier and will arrive there later after school lets out.
• Line 534: Buses coming from Ludwigsburg will be rerouted to the Schwieberdingen train station. The stops in Hemmingen are canceled. To ensure a connection to the Strohgäubahn at the Schwieberdingen train station, buses departing from Ludwigsburg will leave five minutes earlier on weekdays during the day. In the opposite direction, buses will depart a few minutes later than usual. The late-night services and the short trips between Möglingen and Ludwigsburg remain unchanged.
• Night bus line N55: Buses will now run on the following route: Zuffenhausen – Kallenberg – Münchingen – Schwieberdingen – Hochdorf – Eberdingen – Riet – Hochdorf – Hemmingen – Zuffenhausen.
• Night bus line N53: Starting at the Ludwigsburger Straße stop in Schwieberdingen, buses will travel via the B10 and L1141 to the Hemmingen Münchinger Straße stop. They will then resume their regular route.

Alternative via the Strohgäubahn
For trips between Hemmingen, Schwieberdingen, and toward Stuttgart, passengers can alternatively use the Strohgäubahn.

Passengers are asked to check the Stuttgart Transport and Fare Association (VVS) schedule information for current connections and departure times before traveling.

The Asian tiger mosquito prefers to breed close to people. Preferred breeding sites can be found around the house, such as in the garden and on the balcony—for example, in watering cans, flowerpot saucers, rain barrels, wading pools, or bird baths.

The more thoroughly you clean now, the fewer tiger mosquitoes there will be next year

To achieve the greatest impact, the Department of Public Health is calling on all residents to take fall measures against the Asian tiger mosquito. Only if as many properties as possible participate—especially in affected areas—can the number of tiger mosquitoes be effectively reduced next spring.

Check for potential breeding sites

First, identify water sources around the house and empty them if possible. Then thoroughly scrub the inner surfaces to dislodge any attached eggs. To be on the safe side, it is recommended to rinse with hot water (60–70°C). This should only be done if it does not damage the item. Afterward, allow the used water to seep away, e.g., onto the ground or the patio. All potential breeding sites should be checked and cleaned in this manner. Even the smallest pools of water can serve as breeding sites for tiger mosquitoes.

More information on potential breeding sites and tiger mosquitoes is available at: https://www.kabsev.de/bekaempfung/tigermueckenbekaempfung/

Those interested can find a fact sheet on tiger mosquitoes in the fall at https://www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/gesundheit-veterinaerwesen/gesundheit/gesundheitsschutz/umwelthygiene/

Making Breeding Sites Winter-Ready and Mosquito-Proof

Breeding sites that are not removed during the winter should be made mosquito-proof immediately after cleaning for the coming season, for example by covering them with a suitable net. Hollow tubes, such as those in umbrella stands or fence posts, can be sealed using appropriate caps, adhesive film, or a cut-open plastic bottle.

Questions and suspected cases (photos) can be sent by email to gesundheitsschutz[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de.

Higher Drawdown from Surpluses Limits Fee Increase

To keep the fee increase for 2027 as low as possible, higher surpluses from previous years are being utilized. As a result, fees for the model household will rise by only 0.8 percent. For a four-person household with ten collections of residual waste and ten collections of organic waste per year, this corresponds to an additional cost of 1.70 euros per year, or about 14 cents per month. The residual waste collection fees will increase, while the organic waste collection fees will remain unchanged.

However, the increased use of fee surpluses means that fewer funds from previous years will be available in the coming years.

Waste fees are not a tool for generating revenue

Waste fees are calculated on a cost-recovery basis. They finance the costs of waste management and are not intended to generate additional revenue for the district budget. The fee budget is a separate, earmarked fund. Any cost surpluses that arise at the end of the year must, in accordance with legal requirements, be returned to fee payers within five years. The Ludwigsburg District consistently implements this policy.

Efficient Waste Management Infrastructure for Residents

In exchange for their fees, residents receive a comprehensive range of services related to waste disposal and recycling. This includes reliable waste collection, an efficient waste management infrastructure, and numerous options for environmentally sound recycling and disposal. Glass bottles are also picked up at the curb as part of the existing system.

A comprehensive network of recycling centers and shredding sites rounds out the services. Bulky waste can be picked up free of charge or dropped off at the recycling centers. The customer portal also offers numerous digital services, including digital fee notices, collection requests, and bulky waste pickup requests. These services are complemented by personalized advice from the customer service team of the relevant department and AVL.

Proper sorting helps keep costs down

Citizens, too, can help support waste management economically by carefully sorting their trash. Sorting waste as thoroughly as possible facilitates recycling and helps ensure that recyclable materials are effectively returned to the cycle. The fees for organic waste collection remain unchanged and thus continue to be affordable.

This moderate adjustment is intended to ensure that waste management costs continue to be reliably covered and that proven waste disposal services are secured for the long term.