wash a little and rinse together to make sure they're clean. then after the ones in the sink are done, i turn off the tap and put some more dishes in the sink and repeat.
so instead of filling up the sink all the way, and having the water just run when i don't need it to, i only turn it on when needed and i turn it on low, but high enough to rinse.
now i will say, i try to wash as i go during the day, rather than have a ton to do all at once. plus, i can't say i wash my dishes this way all the time. 