I'm with all those "dang Conservatives". I have my own well with plenty of water, but I still can't see wasting ANYTHING, so I use the dishwasher only when full, and almost never use disposables. I usually hand wash dishes as they accumulate in the sink. I use the largest container there, fill it with a cup or two of water and a few drops of soap. A sponge or small scrubby will clean a great many dishes. Then I rinse all with hot water and they dry by themselves (except for the plastic,LOL). I try to put plastic flatware into the dishwasher when I use it (not often) so it can be used again.