Sustainability is reshaping how communities manage resources every day. Rather than treating waste as an end point, cities and counties increasingly view it as a stream of materials that can be redirected, reused, and transformed. The communities around Washington, D.C., are no exception. Urban studies and architectural historian Bill Keene leads an exploration of three local facilities working to recover, reuse, and regenerate and the infrastructure that makes these efforts possible.

The Prince George’s County Materials Recycling Facility in Capitol Heights, Maryland, offers a window into the fast-moving world of materials recovery, where tons of paper, plastic, metal, and cardboard are sorted, separated, and prepared for new life. Guided by facility experts, you observe the intricate combination of machinery and manual labor that makes modern recycling possible. Along the way, gain a clearer understanding of what can and cannot be recycled and how individual choices at home directly affect the efficiency and success of the entire system.

Food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic materials take on new value at the Prince George’s County Organics Composting Facility in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where they are transformed into nutrient-rich compost. A tour of the facility and Visitor’s Center offers a look at the science of decomposition, including how temperature, moisture, and oxygen are carefully managed to accelerate the breakdown process while minimizing odors and environmental impact.

A visit to Community Forklift in Edmonston, Maryland, a nonprofit reuse center, highlights another dimension of sustainability: salvaging architectural materials and household goods and giving them new life, free to community groups and families in need. Hear about the center’s community partnerships and how goods are acquired. Representatives from the organization showcase the impact of reuse at a community scale.

Together, these sites illustrate a powerful local ecosystem of environmental stewardship.

Lunch is included.

Know Before You Go

• The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
• Tour participants meet at and leave by bus from the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St., SW, with no fringe stop.
• The tour price includes lunch.
• The tour involves standing and walking for long periods; please wear closed-toe shoes.

General Information

• Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
• Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
• As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
• For additional tour information:
• Study Tour Policies
• Refund/Cancellation Policy