[lucaspiller]

Here in Lithuania most older buildings have the same, but newer buildings typically just have garbage rooms in the basement. I guess the system reminds them of Soviet buildings, where the shoot is just a big pipe going down the stair well, so stinks up the corridors, is usually too small, and of course never cleaned. Here is a picture of a nicer looking one:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fRxMujrr3g/T7nbckb40DI/AAAAAAAADt...

I've lived in new buildings in other countries that have the same system as you, and the (mild) smell is a lot nicer than having to walk downstairs to throw out trash.