This research studied the new application of potato waste residue which was used to produce a composite coating to preserve apples. The solvent method was used to prepare carboxymethyl cellulose with potato waste residue as the raw material. Then carboxymethyl cellulose was mixed with chitosan and nano SiOx to make coatings for apples. Finally, the optimum preservative solution of apples was determined by the orthogonal test. The experimental results showed that the best regimen for apple coating was 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose, 1.5% chitosan, 0.1% nano SiOx and 0.75% glycerol. The composite membrane effectively suppressed respiration of apples, postponed fruit aging, reduced fruit weight loss rate, slowed the consumption of organic acids, and inhibited the hardness decline and bacterial infection of apples. In conclusion, the experimental results expanded the use of potato waste residue and provide reference for treatment of potato waste residue.