International Journal of Advanced Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology © 2021, www.IJARIIT.com All Rights Reserved Page| 47 ISSN: 2454-132X Impact Factor: 6.078 (Volume 7, Issue 6 - V7I6-1181) Available online at: https://www.ijariit.com Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) waste: An Emerging monster in Lagos municipal solid waste Aeneas U. Nebert nebert4j@gmail.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Oluwatoyin E. Taiwo toytaiwous@yahoo.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Jane Adamma Chukwudebelu adadebelu@yahoo.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Nwauzor Onyinyechi Gloria glo2chem@yahoo.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Ugo Uchechi capitalucubed@yahoo.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Ogbonna Sylvanus Orji sylvanogbonnao@gmail.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Okuneye Josephine Olayinka okuneyeolayinka19@gmail.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Anozia Euphemia Chibuzor anoziachibuzo@gmail.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Obuene Udoka Shedrack obueneud@gmail.com Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria ABSTRACT Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) also referred to as Styrofoam, is a form of plastic frequently use for food packaging. This research focuses on the generation, disposal and the negative effects of waste EPS in Lagos Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Studies from some specific locations in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos showed daily usage of EPS (as food package) by street food vendors and its negative impact on the environment and human life. Qualitative analysis of these locations of Lagos state has shown how several factors including the properties of EPS such as low cost, light weight, versatility, low recycle value and non-biodegradability has contributed to the surge of EPS waste in Lagos state. This paper shows how street food vendors and consumers’ attitudes have contributed to defacing the aesthetic quality of Lagos state. Keywords: Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Lagos state, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Street Food Vendors. 1. INTRODUCTION Waste is any substance that is discarded or required to be discarded after it becomes worthless. Waste can appear in the form of solid, liquid or gaseous substances. These wastes are usually generated due to human or animal activities. Solid wastes are solid or semi-solid substances that became worthless, valueless and useless due to use and are needed to be disposed or recycled (Anifowose et al., 2011, Leton et.al.2004). Solid waste from residents, commercial areas, industrial and agricultural processes are referred to as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) (Singh et al., 2011). With increasing rate of urbanization comes population growth and with increase population comes increase in consumption which often results in the rise of Municipal Solid waste (MSW). MSW generation rates are usually determined by level of industrialization, climatic condition, civic behaviors and economic growth. Usually, the quantities of municipal solid waste generated are based on the economic growth and rate of urbanization (Hoornberg and Bhada-Tata, 2012). The MSW generated within the Lagos metropolis is usually high due the high level of urbanization and it is composed of high percentage of plastics. The high composition of plastic noticed in Lagos MSW is to a certain level, because of affordability, lightweight, versatility and its single use purposes. Some of these plastics are used as packaging materials for food and other products. Most of the plastics used as packaging materials by the food vendors in Lagos is the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)often referred to by its trademark ‘Styrofoam’ (invented by Dow Chemical in 1941) or take -away pack as commonly referred to by consumers. EPS is a plastic product made from the polymerization of styrene (vinyl benzene) monomers to form polystyrene (an aromatic polymer which is a petroleum-based plastic), it is made of pre‐expanded closed‐cell