Hotel Key Card Collection

Chanced upon this interesting article on USA Today about a 10-year old boy who has amassed 607 plastic hotel key cards over the years and has set a Guinness World Record for it. His interest in hotel key cards was sparked five years ago on his first family trip, and soon it became a hobby. Of course he did not do all the travelling himself, so his father's travels played a huge role in his collection.

This particular piece of news is so trivial and unimportant, but it certainly struck a chord with me and reminded me of my own collection. I may not have 607 key cards, but I believe I have a sizeable number which can definitely match his, NOT.

It started out unconsciously when hotels do not bother collecting the cards back from me when checking out. Slowly and surely I accumulate more cards, and now I make it a point to keep one for myself after every stay for memory's sake. I find it weird that although hotels constantly emphasise their commitment to the environment and in being green, they do not actively get their guest to return the key cards. I have even had experiences when I want to return the cards (because i have too many from the same brand) and they insist I keep them. Just imagine the amount of plastic waste generated, since the key is practically useless after checking out.

Anyhow, I'm curious as to what other guests do to their keycards. Do you keep your keycards or do you return them?