I never really gave this much thought as I never lived in a building that uses a chute. But it does make sense. You can build a large building, but it usually has many firestops in it. When wiring crosses a firestop, it must be sealed up to some standards. Ventilation systems are kept isolated across firestops as well. Anything that could encourage a spread is forbidden.

In contrast, a fire chute is basically a giant convection tower that should spread smoke and heat across all the higher floors of a building immediately.

It's possible to apply the same fire solutions used for elevators and stair wells to garbage chutes. Build them separately out of cinder block towers and use UL rated doors.

While you are right, that is easily circumvented by someone propping the chute door open.