In Colombia, materials recovery in municipal solid wastes (MSW) and their reincorporation into the productive cycle have been carried out in productive units known as material recovery facilities (MRFs), which have been implemented especially on small municipalities. The effectiveness of MRFs has been questioned. In order for them to be sustainable, it is important to identify the aspects that influence the raw materials, processes and products of these productive units. As a reference, this work takes five MRFs in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, where 18 variables related to the system performance were identified. The structural analysis allowed the identification of factors external to the MRFs, such as the generation of MSW, as well as a number of practices such as classification, storage, and waste presentation. They have an impact on the quality and quantity of raw materials. Work on these key elements will make it possible to improve the design of facilities, will optimize process operation, will increase the quality of the products and will reduce rejections. Prioritized interventions to improve performance in MRFs include the formulation and adaptation of methodologies to characterize the MSW, the promotion of solid waste segregation at the source for the users, the implementation of technologies adapted to the local context, and the training of operators and  professionals involved in the selection, design, operation and monitoring of technologies.